Pick Willow if you want cloud AI dictation that learns your writing style, types into any app, and works on Windows and iPhone too, for a monthly fee. Pick Whisperer if you work on a Mac, want speech handled on your computer with no internet, and also want meeting notes without a bot, for $2.99 plus $14.99 once.
The short version#
Willow normally sends your audio to its servers, where its models transcribe and polish the text, then puts the result into the app you're using. It also lists an offline mode that runs on the device. The Pro plan unlocks its strongest speech model and more personalization. The Business plan adds a zero-retention privacy mode, SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA controls for teams.
Whisperer keeps the audio on your Mac. Hold Fn, talk, release, and the text is copied for you to paste with ⌘V. It uses Whisper on the Metal GPU by default, with Parakeet, Qwen3 ASR and WhisperKit as other offline engines. The $14.99 Pro purchase turns it into a meeting recorder that writes notes with the AI you choose.
Feature comparison#
| Whisperer | Willow | |
|---|---|---|
| Speech recognition on your device | Yes | Partial (offline mode) |
| Works with no internet | Yes | Partial (offline mode) |
| Types into the current app | No (copies, you press ⌘V) | Yes |
| Learns your writing style | No | Yes |
| Personal dictionary | Yes, learns from your corrections | Not listed |
| Filler and punctuation cleanup | Yes (Fast Polish, on device) | Yes (cloud) |
| File transcription | Yes | Not listed |
| History with search and audio replay | Yes | Not listed |
| Meeting notes without a bot | Yes (Pro) | Not listed |
| Speaker names from the calendar | Yes (Pro) | Not listed |
| Choose your own AI or a local model | Yes | No |
| MCP server on your Mac | Yes (Pro) | Not listed |
| Windows and iPhone | No | Yes |
| SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA controls | No (audio never leaves the Mac) | Yes (Business) |
Pricing#
Public pricing, November 2026, one seat.
| Whisperer | Willow | |
|---|---|---|
| Free | No free tier | Basic, with limits |
| Dictation | $2.99 one-time | Pro, $15/month or $12/month billed yearly |
| Business features | Not offered | $35/month or $28/month billed yearly |
| Meetings and AI notes | $14.99 one-time Pro | Not listed |
| First year | $17.98 | $144 (Pro, yearly) |
| Three years | $17.98 | $432 (Pro, yearly) |
Where Willow wins#
- It types for you. Text goes straight into the field. Whisperer's App Store build asks you to press ⌘V.
- Writing that sounds like you. Willow's cloud models adapt to your style and tidy text well.
- Windows and iPhone. Willow runs on Mac, Windows and iPhone. Whisperer is Mac-only and needs Apple Silicon and macOS 26 Tahoe.
- Compliance paperwork. If your company needs SOC 2 Type II or HIPAA controls from a vendor, Willow's Business plan has them.
- A free plan. You can try it at no cost.
Where Whisperer wins#
- Audio never leaves your Mac. No account, no analytics, and the App Store listing says "Data Not Collected". It works on a plane.
- Meeting notes. Whisperer notices a Zoom, Teams, Meet, Slack, Webex or FaceTime call by seeing which app opened the microphone, records both sides, names speakers from your calendar, and writes decisions, action items with owners and open questions.
- Your AI, or none. Notes come from the built-in Qwen3.5 4B model offline, or from the Claude, ChatGPT, Codex or Gemini plan you already pay for. See your own AI.
- MCP. Let Claude, Cursor or Codex search your meetings and transcripts through a server that only apps on your Mac can reach. See MCP.
- Files and history. Transcribe audio and video files, search past dictations, replay audio.
- Pay once. $17.98 total instead of a yearly bill.
Who should choose which#
Choose Willow if you also work on Windows or iPhone, you want text typed into apps in your own style, or your company needs a vendor with SOC 2 and HIPAA.
Choose Whisperer if you're on a Mac, you don't want your voice on someone's server, and you'd like your calls written up too. Start with dictation.
FAQ#
Is Whisperer a good Willow alternative?#
Yes, if you work on a Mac and want dictation that runs on your computer with no subscription, plus meeting notes without a bot. Willow is the better pick if you need Windows or iPhone, cloud-polished writing in your own style, or business compliance features.
How much does Willow cost?#
Willow has a free Basic plan with a lighter speech model. Pro is $15 per user per month, or $12 a month billed yearly. Business is $35 a month, or $28 billed yearly (public pricing, November 2026).
Does Willow work offline?#
Partly. Willow's main models run in the cloud, but it also lists an offline mode that runs on your device. Whisperer transcribes on your Mac and works offline by default.
Does Whisperer type into apps like Willow?#
No. In the Mac App Store version, Whisperer copies your text and you paste with ⌘V. Willow puts text into the app for you.